Housing Market Data, Home Prices, and Jobs Report This Week

The upcoming week is set to release significant housing market data and key economic indicators, offering insights into the current state of the real estate sector. On Wednesday, Realtor.com's senior economist Jake Krimmel will publish the September Housing Trends Report, providing an early assessment of the market as mortgage rates have recently surpassed 7%. This report will be followed on Thursday by an analysis from senior economist Hannah Jones on national and local trends in starter homes, with Krimmel also sharing the latest weekly housing market data. From a broader economic perspective, several influential reports are scheduled for release. The Case-Shiller Home Price Index is due on Tuesday, offering a look at national home price trends. On Thursday, Freddie Mac will release its weekly mortgage rate data, which is particularly noteworthy given the recent increase. Finally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will issue the September jobs report on Friday, a critical piece of information for the Federal Reserve's policy decisions. Analysis of the Case-Shiller data is expected to indicate continued annual gains in home prices, though it is not anticipated that home price growth will outpace the overall inflation rate. A notable trend expected to persist is regional divergence in home price appreciation. Markets in the Midwest and Northeast, such as Chicago, New York, and Cleveland, are projected to experience the highest growth rates. Conversely, Western markets, including Seattle, Las Vegas, and Denver, are likely to post modest declines in home prices. This regional disparity highlights varied economic conditions and housing demand across different parts of the country. The upcoming mortgage rate reading from Freddie Mac is a key point of interest. Last week, mortgage rates climbed above 7% for the first time since January 2025, a significant threshold. The factors contributing to this rise, including robust economic growth, elevated inflation, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and increasing federal deficits, are all expected to remain influential. This sustained upward pressure on rates could further impact housing affordability and market activity. The September jobs report, scheduled for release on Friday, is a primary indicator watched by the Federal Reserve. While the Fed's current primary focus is on inflation, policymakers will be closely examining the report for signs of a stable unemployment rate amidst ongoing hiring trends. Although the jobs report is important, it is unlikely to significantly alter market expectations for at least one additional Federal Reserve interest rate hike later this year. The report's findings will provide crucial context for the Fed's ongoing assessment of the economic landscape and its future monetary policy actions. For comprehensive data and analysis, resources are available on realtor.com/research.